Charges Against One Defendant in Ducky Case Dropped

According to the Cumberland Times News and court documents, Charges against one of the defendants in connection with the “Ducky” animal cruelty case have been dismissed by the state for a “lack of evidence,” according to the prosecutor handling the case.

All seven charges against Frederick Newton Lease, 27, stemming from his arrest in April, were dismissed when he appeared Wednesday in Allegany County Circuit Court before Judge Gary G. Leasure.

The charges stemmed from an incident in late March when a 10-month-old terrier was observed running in the Corriganville area with its muzzle duct-taped. An extensive search over several days led to the eventual discovery of the duct-taped dog on the back porch of a Lonaconing residence.

According to court information, The state will proceed to trial in the animal cruelty charges against 24-year-old Ricky Allen Adams, of Cumberland. He is scheduled for trial in circuit court Nov. 9.

The dog was given immediate medical care by the Western Maryland Animal Hospital by Dr. John T. Fox and was taken to the Ark of Hope Rescue, where it was adopted by an area family.